8:00: Preschool Opens/Morning Activity/Open Play

9:00: Morning Snack

9:30: Circle Time

10:00: Morning Work / Outside Play (weather permitting)

11:30: Lunch

12:30: Nap/Rest time
2:30: Open Play
3:30: Afternoon Snack

4:00: Story Time 

4:15: Open Play

5:00: Clean up time
6:00: Preschool is Closed

 

(Notice how, our schedule doesn't have any end times, so we can have a structured, yet flexible day. To see a more detailed daily plan, click on the Calendar & News Tab.)

 

Details About Our Daily Schedule

 

LBCP Opens/Drop off

Children place their school bags and coats in their locker. As we wait for all little bear friends to arrive, we have open play or a morning activity, which helps transition the children during drop off. Our morning activity might be manipulatives, coloring, play dough, etc. They are welcome to do the morning activity as long as they want, when they are done with the morning activity then they may have open play time.

 

Circle Time

I play our Circle Time Song and we all gather together on the rug. We do the calendar and weather chart. We sing the days of the week song, and months of the year song if it's a new month. We talk about the beautiful (or not so beautiful) weather outside, discuss upcoming events, such as a birthday or holiday. Children are introduced to any new learning materials. We go over language in Spanish. For example, if it's the 10th day of the month, we count to 10 in English and in Spanish, then we have a Spanish word we practice. (e.g. Hola = Hello) I then ask the children to think about what work they'd like to begin with. Children begin to walk around and pick out work.

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Work

Our classroom is comprised of several shelves. Each shelf represents a subject area, and has activities on it within that subject (e.g. the math shelf has math activities) In the morning, while children are participating in free play and I am waiting on children to arrive, I will take pictures of any new activities, and upload them to Brightwheel, along with a description of the activity, and what the key learning points are (e.g. Practical Life, Fine Motor, etc). Minimalism is key in Montessori. Work is rotated in and out according to the child's interest. 

 

Children are encouraged to do their work in a calm manner and take their time. I walk around the classroom observing and work with each child on their work. I ask them questions "e.g. What sound does that letter make?" (The 3 Period Lesson) and engage them in their work.

 

Children are expected to complete their work before moving on to the next work. As children are doing their work, I will take pictures and post them on Brightwheel so you can see your child doing their work. I may post the picture in real time or if I am busy I will post later.

 

When morning work time is over (sometime around 11:15), I begin playing the clean up song. This is their cue that work station time is over and it's time to finish their work and clean up. 

 

Our art shelf will have what’s called a Control of Error example on display to show them an example of what to do but ultimately it is up to them to create their own unique artwork. I will not do the work for them. Often our artwork is open ended but occasionally we may do “cookie cutter” crafts for holidays, etc.

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Most work activities will be left out on our shelves to be used throughout the day if they wish however some sensitive activities (for example the pouring activity with ceramic vases or activities with loose parts such as small beans) will be put up when not in use.

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Work stations are comprised from the five areas of Montessori;

• Mathematics (counting, sorting, adding, subtracting, etc)

• Language (reading, writing, alphabet recognition, phonological awareness, etc)

• Culture (geography, botany, zoology, science, foreign language, etc)

• Practical Life (learning to tie shoes, pour water, etc)

• Sensory (smell, taste, touch, listen, look)

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Other areas:

• Art (We practice open ended art. Children are provided with different tools and create artwork using their own imaginations. Art supplies are available at our art center.)

• Music (Singing, and learning how to use instruments.)

• Movement (Practicing our gross motor skills, building coordination, using our muscles. Movement may consist of using our bodies by dancing and practicing yoga. It also may include using things like balance beams, scooters, etc. During the warm months, it's playing outside or walks to the park)

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Meals

Please feed your child breakfast prior to dropping off. In the mornings & afternoons we provide healthy snacks. Parents are required to bring a daily healthy packed lunch for their child. No cookies, candy, or sugary items please. We don't wish for the children to be hyped on sugar prior to laying down for naps. We provide whole milk for lunch and water is also available throughout the day so you do not have to pack a drink in your child's lunch. If your child is on a special diet or has food allergies, parents are required to pack their child's lunch and snacks each day. Children wash their hands in the sink prior to eating. We provide cups, which are color coordinated so children know which cup is theirs. Over 3 years old uses “big kid cups” instead of  sippy cups. 

 

Nap/Rest Time

After lunch, children are required to have a nap or rest time. Cots, pack-n-plays, and blankets are provided, along with a nice darkened classroom to sleep. Relaxing classical music is played while they sleep. Each child has their own sleeping supplies. Cots are labeled with their names and pack-n-plays and blankets are color coordinated, each child has their own. They do not share them.

 

Outdoor Play
Outdoor play is great for children to exercise and enjoy what the great outdoors has to offer. We go outside weather permitting (45 degrees and above, no precipitation or mud) The children can enjoy 3,600 square feet of fenced-in outdoor play space, including a swing set, climbing toys, bikes, badminton, sidewalk chalk, and more. If we can't go outside due to the weather, we will have indoor movement. For indoor movement, we practice yoga, have a dance party, etc. 

 

Open Play
We exercise our large and fine motor skills with playtime. A child’s work is play. Children learn several things through play, like how to express their feelings, how to help others, how to work with others, they discover new things and new ways of thinking.

 

Hygiene

We practice good hygiene practices. We wash our hands with soap before meals. Children are encouraged to sneeze/cough in their elbows to help stop the spread of germs. Our classroom is disinfected with Lysol at the end of each day. Potty trained children are welcome to use the potty any time they need. The potty is easily accessible and located just outside of our classroom. Children who are in diapers are checked for a soiled diaper every 2 hours or less and changed as needed. Of course, if we smell a BM, then we will change the child's diaper right away. 

 

Story Time

We gather on the rug around 4pm and read a story to the children. This signifies it's the end of the day and almost time to go home. Parents/grandparents are welcome to be a secret reader, and come and read a story to the children during this time as well. It's a great way for parents to be involved.

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Clean up Time & Dismissal
We clean up, wash faces and hands, get shoes on, and get ready to go home. We’re so excited to share everything we’ve learned with our parents! Be sure to check your Brightwheel app to see all about your child’s day and be on the lookout for our monthly newsletters. You can also visit the Little Bear Facebook page to see all the things going on here at LBCP. Be sure to check your child's bag each day when you get home. We often send home artwork, correspondence, and more in their B.E.A.R (Bring Everything Always Ready) binders.

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Weekly Routine Outline:

Mondays: Practical Life & Sensorial

Tuesdays: Language

Wednesdays: Math/Science

Thursdays: Gross Motor (Yoga & Dance)

Fridays: Art & Culture